Thursday's NFL: Pro Bowl tackle Taylor Lewan sues doctor over ACL repair
Nashville, Tenn. — A three-time Pro Bowl left tackle released by the Tennessee Titans in February over a failed physical issue is suing renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews for medical malpractice for the October 2020 surgery repairing his torn right ACL leaving him with “severe and permanent” damage.
Attorneys for Taylor Lewan filed the lawsuit Tuesday night in circuit court in Escambia County, Florida.
Others named as defendants are Benjamin Sherman, Baptist Health Care, Baptist Medical Group along with the Andrews Institute.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of an improper repair that caused “permanent injury to his right knee, and surrounding structures, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments” and cutting Lewan's NFL career short as a result of “negligent acts and omissions.”
“We cannot comment on patients or pending litigation,” said Christian Garman of the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
Andrews has long been among the top sports orthopedists in the world. He also maintains a medical center in Birmingham, Alabama.
Lewan, a 6-foot-7, 309-pound tackle, was the 11th pick overall out of Michigan in 2014 by Tennessee. He went to three straight Pro Bowls between 2016 and 2018 and started 100 of 105 games played for the Titans.
Now 31, Lewan originally i njured his right ACL on Oct. 18, 2020, in a win over Houston and was placed on injured reserve. He had surgery to repair his knee Oct. 27, returned in 2021 and started 13 games. In June 2022, Lewan described playing that season as a mental and physical grind.
Lewan then tore the same ACL in the second game of the 2022 season. The Titans released him Feb. 22 with the nine-year veteran due $14.8 million in the final year of his contract after the knee injuries limited him to 25 of 50 regular-season games over the past three seasons.
The lawsuit accuses Andrews of negligence for not using a specific graft, injuring surrounding knee cartilage, not repairing the medial meniscus, failing to supervise residents and fellows and failing to provide proper care after surgery.
Lewan is dealing with “severe pain and disability, suffering, disfigurement, loss of ability to enjoy life, past and future medical expenses, past and future loss of earnings, past and future loss of career earnings, past and future loss of career opportunities, and mental distress,” according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit asks for a jury trial and damages in excess of $50,000 plus costs, interest, and other relief decided by the court.
Giants, Lawrence agree on $90 million extension
The New York Giants and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence have agreed to terms on a four-year, $90 million contract extension, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
Lawrence, who had not participated in the team's voluntary offseason workouts while waiting for the deal, agreed Thursday to the massive contract, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Giants had not announced the extension.
The deal averages $22.5 million per year, tying Lawrence with Washington's Daron Payne as the third-highest paid defensive tackle in the league based on annual salary, behind only the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald ($31.7 million per year) and Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons ($23.5 million per year).
The Giants picked up the fifth-year option on Lawrence's rookie contract last offseason, and the big D-lineman had a breakout season that included a career-high 7 1/2 sacks. He was selected a second-team All-Pro and made his first Pro Bowl.
Lawrence was the 17th overall pick out of Clemson by the Giants in 2019. He has 16 1/2 career sacks, 58 quarterback hits, 21 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in four seasons.
Personnel dept.
The Chiefs signed offensive tackle Donovan Smith to a contract for the upcoming season, adding a veteran to compete for playing time with two open jobs on the offensive line.
The 29-year-old Smith, who was released by the Buccaneers on March 7, started 124 regular-season games from the moment he became a second-round pick in 2015 through last season. But Smith struggled much of last season, partly due to elbow and foot injuries that caused him to miss four games, and that helped Tampa Bay reach the decision to let him go.
… The Browns added needed experience and depth to their secondary, agreeing on a one-year contract with veteran free agent safety Rodney McLeod.
The 32-year-old McLeod has started 138 games in his NFL career. He spent last season with Indianapolis, finishing with 96 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.